Date: 14 Feb 96 04:01:07 EST
From: "Chris, London" <100423.2040-AT-compuserve.com>
Subject: Carlos on Peru 1/2


Repost in 2 parts

Carlos,

Thank you for your substantive reply to my questions.

Let me say first that I accept completely
and note the comments of others that your opposition to PCP
is nothing to do with any links with imperialist interests.
IMO Louis Godena weakened his case by raising such a
possibility and I note that he has dropped the point.

In turn I welcome your reply to my points except for
one aspect, your repeated references to the PCP as
"Shiny Shit". I note they also say "Sendero Luminoso" is
a government-promoted term of abuse.

While you have every right to post whatever you want, I think
this is not to your advantage either. 

I hear you to say you
find them utterly disgusting and contemptible. OK.
That is quite a powerful statement.

But your repeated use of an abusive phrase virtually
ensured that someone on the other side would raise the
stakes in a machismo fashion.

I take it for granted that there is great exploitation and oppression
in Peru and there is a complex history of often brave resistance.
I do not want myself to have to use a turn of phrase that may
imply contempt for the members of an organisation which might
be making terrible errors but who *as individuals* are no different
from you or me.

I would say the same about the MRTA. BTW if anyone can
forward any material from the MRTA I feel that would be
 valuable in getting more perspective on resistance
and oppression in Peru.

Therefore Carlos, I am taking your substantive points
minus the insults. I hear your points, IMO, more damningly,
as follows:

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
    As it is obvious for anyone who bother to read [PCP ]
    supporters' posts (Godenas, Quispe et al), they did:

    a. Recognize that they did execute other left wing activists
    under the accussation of being "agents" of imperialism, the
    Fujimori government or some other source of counter-revolution.

    b. They repeatdely *refused* to ellaborate about the process it
    was followed before those executions took place.  They only
    referred to some [PCP] controlled "tribunals".  This is
    simply because *they never gave the accused the opportunity of
    proving their innocence* (I'm not talking here about people killed
    during an armed confrontation, I'm talking about *executions* and
    not of police or army officers, but of left-wing members of other
    organizations)

    c. I have direct knowledge of the execution of members of the

-   Peruvian Communist Party,
-   the MAS (Movement of Socialist Action?),
-   the PUM (Unified Mariateguist Party)
-   and of members of the United Left (Izquierda Unida).
    In all, maybe 15 cases.

    I have references, through reading materials produced by left wing
    organizations from Peru of about another 100-150 cases.

    In books and other sources is mentioned a number of 500 or so
    (of left wing activists, elected officers and tradeunion leaders 
    assasinated without trial, without any legitimate due process,etc)

    With most of the murdered I have no political agreement.  Moreover,
    I would, if they were alive, consider them social-reformers (with
    maybe the exception of the members from the PUM).  *But*, the
    questions are not their politics but their assasinations.  In that
    sense I'm stand on the side of every left wing element murdered by
    Sendero. It is a blood line here, a class line.

<snip>

    there is Fujimori or us, [ ],
    you need to choose us if not you are in the other
    side.  Old argument, shitty logic. That's is why they kill other
    leftists, they need no other voice in order to blackmail workers
    and peasants.

<snip>

     Terrorism is very easy.  You do not need to organize the
    masses, nor as they say, you need any kind of support from the
    working class and the oppressed to be effective.  Five hundred
    well trained fanatics can put 5,000 bombs in one year.  Doesn't
    even require to be class-conscious nor to know anything about
    program.  Provided tht you develop a good security system, you
    can go on and on for years. [ ]

    But even if *they enjoyed* mass suppport that would not change
    my position towards them.  Can you imagine a society with them
    in charge? You'll probably be executed, Chris.  That simple.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Part 2/2 comments, to follow

Chris
London


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